Health secretary Andrew Lansley has announced an 'NHS Future Forum' to advise the government on ways to improve the reforms.

It will be chaired by Steve Field, former chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners, and will seek the views of health professionals (see NHS Future Forum entry below).

Mr Lansley and his reforms face growing opposition from many quarters, including the CSP. More than 250,000 people have signed an online petition on the 38 degrees website, calling for the plans to be revised.

Increasing opposition includes a report from the Commons Health Select Committee, which wants Mr Lansley to set up NHS commissioning authorities rather than GP consortia.

These would have statutory representation from a range of health care professionals and elected councillors.

‘We welcome the announcement from the health secretary that he is going to take the time to listen to views about the reforms and hope he hears and understands the grave concerns that people have,’ said CSP chief executive Phil Gray.

‘With the next stage of the Bill not now until May or even June, there’s still time for our members to keep up the pressure on their MPs and let them know how strongly they feel about the proposed changes. It’s not just about their jobs, more importantly it’s about the impact the changes will have on their patients.’

NHS Future Forum

The CSP will continue to provide support members with briefings and online tools to help its members to lobby their MPs.

You can respond directly to the NHS Future Forum plan on the Department of Health website.

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The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) is the professional, educational and trade union body for the UK's 56,000 chartered physiotherapists, physiotherapy students and support workers. Find out more about us.

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